State · California
California sets a standard, not a single test. The state rule for the written step is the PELLETB or another validated reading and writing test (POST Regulation 1951). The PELLETB is the state's own test; many agencies also take FrontLine National scores (63 agencies listed it on NTN as of Oct 21, 2026), and a few give their own exam.
| Item | What applies | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Written test |
| CA POST: Peace officer candidate selection standards (Regulation 1951) · JoinSFPD: Written test · City of Oakland police officer trainee job on NTN · National Testing Network: open law enforcement jobs and the exam each requires (read 2026-10-21)checked Oct 21, 2026 |
| State rule on the written test | PELLETB or another validated reading and writing test (POST Regulation 1951) | CA POST: Peace officer candidate selection standards (Regulation 1951)checked Oct 21, 2026 |
| Retake rule | 30 calendar dayscounted across all agencies; a retest inside 30 days is invalidated | CA POST: PELLETB applicant FAQschecked Oct 21, 2026 |
| Score valid for | No POST time limiteach agency may set its own | CA POST: PELLETB applicant FAQschecked Oct 21, 2026 |
| Scores from elsewhere | Agency's choicedepartments may accept another agency's T-score letter or test you again | CA POST: PELLETB applicant FAQschecked Oct 21, 2026 |
| Agencies using FrontLine on NTN | 63 agenciesCalifornia agencies with open NTN jobs requiring FrontLine Nationalas of Oct 21, 2026 · open jobs on NTN that day | National Testing Network: open law enforcement jobs and the exam each requires (read 2026-10-21)checked Oct 21, 2026 |
The state's POST commission owns this test, so "CA POST test" and "POST written test" mean the same exam: writing (clarity, vocabulary, spelling) and reading comprehension, on paper, given only in California through agencies and academies. Versions: One current form (2025); agencies cannot choose the pre-2025 version with CLOZE.
Stanard sells its NPOST under the name POST too, a different test with a math section. If a prep book says "POST exam" and teaches math, it is not preparing you for a California agency.
| Department | State | Written test | PELLETB score accepted | FrontLine passing scores | Retake rule | Where you test | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | CA |
| — | — | 30 calendar days | — | CA POST: Peace officer candidate selection standards (Regulation 1951) · JoinSFPD: Written test · City of Oakland police officer trainee job on NTN · National Testing Network: open law enforcement jobs and the exam each requires (read 2026-10-21) · CA POST: PELLETB applicant FAQs | Oct 21, 2026 |
| California Highway Patrol | CA |
| — | — | 30 calendar days | Your chosen CHP Division | CHP: Written Exam · CHP: How to start your career as a CHP Officer | Oct 21, 2026 |
| Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department | CA |
| — | — | Set in each job posting | By computer | LASD: Law Enforcement Job Family multiple-choice test study guide | Oct 21, 2026 |
| Los Angeles Police Department | CA |
| T-score 42+ | City criteria | — | Los Angeles, in person | JoinLAPD: Multiple Choice Test and waivers | Oct 21, 2026 |
| Oakland Police Department | CA |
| 45+ | 65 / 70 / 70 | — | NTN, online or in person | City of Oakland police officer trainee job on NTN | Oct 21, 2026 |
| San Diego Police Department | CA |
| T-score 42 in each area, within 6 months | 55 / 65 / 65 | 30 days | San Diego, free | City of San Diego: Police written test · San Diego Police Department recruit job on NTN | Oct 21, 2026 |
| San Francisco Police Department | CA |
| T-score 42+, 2 years | 60 / 70 / 70 | 90 days (FrontLine) | — | JoinSFPD: Written test · SFPD entry-level police officer job on NTN | Oct 21, 2026 |
| San Jose Police Department | CA |
| — | — | — | — | San Jose Police Department recruit job on NTN | Oct 21, 2026 |
| Santa Ana Police Department | CA |
| 46+, 1 year | — | 3 months | — | Santa Ana police recruit job on NTN | Oct 21, 2026 |
| Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office | CA |
| — | 55 / 65 / 65 | — | — | Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office deputy sheriff cadet job on NTN | Oct 21, 2026 |
| Ventura County Sheriff's Office | CA |
| — | — | — | — | Ventura County Sheriff's Office deputy sheriff trainee job on NTN | Oct 21, 2026 |
Select the sentence that is written most clearly and correctly.
Answer explanations
Correct: The officer is named as the one who found the item, so there is no unclear pronoun.
Incorrect: "He" has no clear antecedent and could even be read as the suspect, so the reference is unclear.
Select the sentence that is written most clearly and correctly.
Answer explanations
Correct: A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses.
Incorrect: The comma alone joins two complete clauses, which is a comma splice.
The review board ruled that the force used was _____ to the threat.
Answer explanations
Incorrect: "disproportinate" leaves out "o" (disproporti[o]nate).
Correct: "disproportionate" is the correct spelling: d-i-s-p-r-o-p-o-r-t-i-o-n-a-t-e.
Incorrect: "disproportionite" has "i" where the correct spelling has "a" (disproportion[a]te).
Incorrect: "disproportianate" has "a" where the correct spelling has "o" (disproporti[o]nate).
The TURBULENT crowd pushed against the barricades as the verdict was read aloud. Choose the word that most nearly means the capitalized word.
Answer explanations
Incorrect: A crowd can be excited without being disorderly; turbulent stresses disorder.
Correct: A turbulent crowd is disorderly and hard to control, which is unruly.
Incorrect: Orderly is the opposite of turbulent.
Incorrect: A curious crowd is interested, not disorderly.
Answer every question to see your score
PELLETB practice app
More PELLETB practice questions with explanations, in a study app. Not affiliated with California POST.
FrontLine National practice app
More FrontLine National practice questions with explanations, in a study app. Not affiliated with NTN.
No. The CA POST test is the PELLETB; the NPOST is a separate test from Stanard, which also calls it POST.
From the agency or academy that gave the test, within 30 days; POST does not release scores to applicants.
It is up to the department: some accept another agency's T-score letter, others test you again. POST sets no time limit on a score, but each agency may set its own.
Once every 30 calendar days, counted across all agencies; a retest inside 30 days is invalidated.